Former CEO Of Miami Lakes Tax Preparation Business Charged In Structuring Scheme

Wifredo A Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael J. De Palma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that defendant Carlos Rodriguez, 40, of Miami Lakes, was charged in a 19 count indictment with structuring financial transactions with the intent to evade currency reporting requirements, in violation of Title 31, United States Code, Sections 5324(a)(3) and 5324(d)(2). The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $558,516.80, the amount of currency involved in the structuring violations, pursuant to Title 31, United States Code, 5317(c)(1). Defendant Rodriguez had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John O’Sullivan.

According to the indictment, financial institutions are required to report cash transactions in amounts over $10,000.00 to the IRS. The indictment alleges that between January 4, 2012 and March 22, 2012, Rodriguez intentionally cashed fifty-six checks from his business account in amounts just under $10,000.00 at a financial institution in order to evade the cash reporting requirements. As further alleged in the indictment, the total amount of money involved in the structuring violations was $558,516.80. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each count.

According to statements made in court, Rodriguez was Chief Executive Officer of Rodri Rodri & Associates, Inc., a tax preparation business, during the time of the alleged structuring violations and currently is the Chief Financial Officer of Ayudame Financial Services, Inc.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elijah A. Levitt.

An indictment is only an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.